Staten Island Advance/Michael OatesA detective is assisted at Manor Heights Shopping Plazar after he was struck by drug suspects' car on Jan. 29. They were captured after chase.

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The Willowbrook man who drove his car into a cop to avoid being arrested for drugs in a Castleton Corners strip mall was high and had a suspended license, allege new court documents.

Joseph Goepel, 24, was stoned on the illegal rave drug ketamine, known as "Special K," during the Jan. 28 episode in which a detective opened fire after the suspect’s car hit him, according to those court papers and authorities.

Goepel was grazed by a bullet in the head, officials said. His passenger, Frank Cosentino, 18, of Westerleigh, was hurt by broken glass and also was busted.

When cops approached the suspects, who were sitting in a white 2011 Hyundai Sonata, Goepel, the driver, backed up, then shot forward and struck one of the detectives, police said.

The injured detective reportedly opened fire on the auto as it sped from the parking lot. Both detectives were taken to Staten Island University Hospital, Ocean Breeze, where the officer struck by the car was treated for knee, hand and arm injuries, police said.

According to court documents, Goepel and Cosentino allegedly possessed oxycodone pills in plain slight. While Goepel had the car in reverse, Cosentino was screaming and "using his hands to direct Goepel to flee," the documents allege.

After the police officer was struck, Cosentino continued to yell and motion to Goepel to drive away, said court records.

The car sped off, racing into incoming traffic, crossing double-yellow lines and blowing a red light, said court documents. The two suspects were nabbed by police about two miles from the shooting scene — with 50 oxycodone pills that weighed more than an eighth of an ounce, said prosecutors.

Goepel also allegedly had a ketamine in his possession.

Cosentino’s lawyer, Patrick V. Parrotta said today he doesn’t think the assault and reckless-endangerment charges against his client will stick.

"It is undisputed that Frank Cosentino was the passenger, and I believe it will be impossible for the district attorney to be able to prove that he, in any way, was responsible for the injuries to the police officers," said the lawyer.

As for the drug charges, Parrotta said he hoped they could be adjudicated, under youthful-offender status, with no jail time and no criminal record for his client. He also said he hopes Cosentino would be allowed to "avail himself" of drug treatment.